Proudly Serving Those Who Serve: NSU’s Commitment to Military-Affiliated Students

Northwestern State University has a strong and lasting partnership with the military, providing educational opportunities that empower service members, veterans, and their families to grow both personally and professionally. Our collaboration with Barksdale Air Force Base helps military personnel, spouses, and dependents access quality higher education while balancing service and career goals.

For decades, NSU has been a trusted partner to the military community at Fort Polk and beyond. Our Leesville/Fort Polk campus serves Vernon, Beauregard, and Sabine parishes, offering vital resources and support for military-connected students.

Together, our faculty and staff bring over 100 years of experience serving military-connected students, many of whom are past service members themselves and understand the unique challenges that can emerge throughout a military career and beyond.

While our partnerships with Barksdale and Fort Polk are key, Northwestern State’s commitment extends far beyond these locations. We proudly serve all service members, veterans, and their families, regardless of where they live or serve. We are dedicated to bridging the gap between military service and civilian life through flexible learning options, strong support, and a campus culture that honors and invests in their future.

There is no out-of-state fee for online programs.  Tuition is $192 per credit hour for active duty, reservist, retirees, and their dependents.  NSU is also an AU-ABC, GEM, and MyCAA partner.

Admissions

Your decision to apply to NSU is the first step on your journey to becoming a NSU Demon and an important part of our great university.

Financial Aid

Our mission is to find the best possible aid package for a diverse student body to enable each of our students the financial ability to achieve their educational goal.

Online Degree Programs

Northwestern State University, home of eNSU—Louisiana’s first electronic campus—has delivered quality education since 1884. Today, eNSU offers flexible schedules, personalized instruction, military benefits, and financial aid for eligible students.

Mission

We are committed to honoring the service of our active military, veterans, and their families by guiding and empowering them through a successful transition to Northwestern State University, fostering purpose, growth, and excellence in every step of their academic and personal journey.

Vision

To be the leading source of support, guidance, and advocacy for all military connected individuals, including active duty, veterans, and their families, by providing exceptional educational resources and creating a community where they can thrive academically, personally, and professionally.

Accreditation

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, specialists, and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Northwestern State University of Louisiana may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

All NSU sites provide a wide range of testing services for NSU students. Our goal is to support individuals in reaching their academic and professional goals by offering advanced testing options in a quiet, secure, and supportive environment.

We operate in accordance with the National College Testing Association (NCTA) standards and guidelines to ensure high-quality, reliable services.

ACCUPLACER is a computer-adaptive assessment system designed to evaluate students’ skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. For over 30 years, it has been a trusted tool for assessing college readiness and ensuring appropriate course placement.

ACCUPLACER provides immediate, accurate results and offers both placement and diagnostic testing to support academic success and targeted remediation.

To schedule the Accuplacer, click here. 

If you are an active-duty member of any branch of the U.S. Armed Services, you will not be required to pay for the Accuplacer Exam.  Prior to scheduling the exam, contact Ty Whatley, NSU at Barksdale Director, at whatleyt@nsula.edu or at (318) 677-3005 or Michelle Stephens, NSU Military Liaison, at stephensv@nsula.edu or at (337) 423-4917.

Northwestern State University is dedicated to working with military students and dependents to ensure a smooth process. Our military financial options include a competitive tuition rate of $192 per credit hour for active duty, reservist, retirees, and their dependents. We also recognize various Tuition Assistance programs such as Military TA, Montgomery GI Bill, Post-9/11, and MyCAA.

Tuition Assistance (TA) Process

  1. Eligibility Check:
    Ensure you’re eligible—generally active duty Air Force, Space Force, and some Air National Guard/Reserve members.
  2. Set Education Goals:
    Log into the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC) and create an education goal aligned with your degree program.
  3. School & Program Approval:
    Verify your school is accredited and listed in AFVEC. Ensure your degree plan is approved.
  4. Submit TA Request:
    Complete and submit a TA request in AFVEC for each course 7–45 days before the class starts.
  5. Command Approval:
    Your supervisor or commander must review and approve the request.
  6. TA Authorization:
    Once approved, download your TA authorization form and send it to your school.
  7. Complete the Course & Report Grades:
    After completing the course, upload your final grade into AFVEC.

Active duty service members should seek guidance concerning education benefits from their respective Education Services Office prior to enrolling. To get started, contact Ty Whatley, NSU at Barksdale Director, at whatleyt@nsula.edu or at (318) 677-3005.

  1. Meet Eligibility Requirements:
    You must be an active duty, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve Soldier in good standing.
  2. Create an ArmyIgnitED Account at https://www.armyignited.mil using your CAC.
    *New Army TA users must complete the Kuder Journey decision-making tool at https://www.dantes.mil/kuder and upload the survey results to your Ignited account under the Career Path Decide tab. 
    *New Army TA users must also complete Army 101 training with your Army Education Counselor.
  3. Create an Education Goal:
    Log into ArmyIgnitED (www.armyignited.army.mil) and set up your education goal.
  4. School & Degree Plan Approval:
    Ensure your school is listed in ArmyIgnitED and upload your official degree plan if required.
  5. TA Request Submission:
    Submit a Tuition Assistance request in ArmyIgnitED no earlier than 60 days and no later than 7 days before the course start date.
  6. Approval Process:
    The request must be approved by your Army Education Counselor and command.
  7. Complete Course & Upload Grades:
    Finish your course successfully and upload final grades to ArmyIgnitED.

Active duty service members should seek guidance concerning education benefits from their respective Education Services Office prior to enrolling. To get started, contact Michelle Stephens, NSU Military Liaison, at stephensv@nsula.edu or at (337) 423-4917.

The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance prescribed by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed Service members equitable housing compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets within the United States when government quarters are not provided. A uniformed service member stationed outside the U.S. , including U.S. territories and possessions, not furnished government housing, is eligible for Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA).

For more information click here.

Northwestern State University is approved for the training of VA students and certifies the student’s enrollment to the appropriate VA Regional Office upon request. The NSU Veteran Services Office coordinates services to all veterans, dependents, guardsmen, and reservists attending classes who are eligible for veteran’s benefits. Any veteran who is enrolled at NSU who is eligible for VA educational benefits should notify the NSU Veterans Affairs Office when he/she wishes to be certified.

For more information click here.

Bachelor’s Degree

Service members are eligible for college course credit at Northwestern State University based on completion of the Observer Coach Trainer (OCT) Academy plus 12 months serving at a Joint Readiness Training Center OCT.

With completion of the OCT Accreditation and requisite experience, Ft. Polk soldiers can apply to earn 16 hours of Military Science Leadership (MSL) course credit. With one additional course in military history, service members will have completed the requirements for a minor in Military Leadership. This minor can be applied to many bachelor degree programs offered at Northwestern State University.

For example, the Bachelor of Science in Psychology includes 120 credit hours. With the OCT Accreditation and experience, a soldier will be awarded 13% (16/120 hours) of the degree.

Some degrees do not have sufficient elective hours for the Military Leadership minor; therefore, total required credit hours will exceed 120 hours.

Master’s Degree

Service members are eligible for 9 graduate hours at Northwestern State University based on completion of the OCT Academy plus 12 months serving at a Joint Readiness Training Center OCT.

You can begin your Master of Science in Homeland Security or Master of Arts in Adult Learning and Development (with a concentration in Homeland Security) before, during, or after completion of the OCT Academy. These graduate programs range from 30–36 credit hours; use your OCT job-embedded training to accelerate completion of a graduate degree.

Students must meet entrance requirements for the NSU Graduate School.

For more information contact LTC Joshua Drake at drakej@nsula.edu or 318-357-5716.

Anyone wishing to have an exam proctored in-person at Barksdale Air Force Base must obtain pre-authorized base access.

Meet the Team

Ty Whatley
Director
NSU at Barksdale Air Force Base Site
whatleyt@nsula.edu
318-677-3005

Michelle Stephens
Military Liaison
NSU at Leesville/Fort Polk Campus
stephensv@nsula.edu
318-423-4917

Marisa Kelly
Registrar’s Office/Veteran Affair Liaison
NSU Natchitoches Campus
kellyma@nsula.edu
318-357-6171

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